As a long-standing practicing Professional Counselor and Counselor Educator, I wish to state my position against the Petition for Rule Making submitted by Dr. Jeffery Chase to the Virginia Board of Counseling that seeks regulatory approval of master’s degrees in psychology as meeting the degree requirements for licensure as a Professional Counselor. It is my position that degrees in psychology do not prepare individuals for practice in the “application of principles, standards, and methods of the counseling profession” as required in the Code of Virginia, and thus, are not viable degrees toward Professional Counselor licensure. The specific points, facts, and arguments in support of my position are as follows:
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Point 1: There is a difference between the activity of counseling and the profession of Counseling. |
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a. Fact: Multiple professions engage in counseling activity, each profession having distinct core philosophies and standards that predicate the manner in which the counseling activity is to be conducted. |
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b. Argument The fact that one profession (e.g., Psychology) may engage in the activity of counseling does not suggest its congruence with the core philosophies and standards of another profession (e.g., Counseling). |
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Point 2: The profession of Counseling is distinct from the profession of Psychology. |
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a. Fact: As different professions, Professional Counselors and Professional Psychologists have different professional identities based upon distinct: 1) Core philosophies 2) Standards of ethics and practice 3) Preparation standards and programs 4) Regulatory boards 5) Professional organizations 6) Research foundations and publications |
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b. Argument: In view of these differences the Board of Counseling cannot ethically sanction those trained in the discipline of Professional Psychology to practice as Professional Counselors, just as the Board of Psychology cannot ethically sanction those trained in the discipline of Professional Counseling to practice as Professional Psychologists. |
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Point 3: The Profession of Counseling has a duty to the public to monitor and maintain an ethical professional identity. |
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a. Fact: Peer-review professions have entered into a “social contract” with the public to promote and foster their core ideals and values through: 1) “substantially controlling entry (including qualifying credentials and the necessary university education that is influenced by the profession);” (Hamilton, 2008, p. 101) 2) “maintaining high standards of minimum competence and ethical conduct” (Hamilton, 2008, p. 102) and 3) requiring “apprenticeships” in their “doctrinal knowledge,” “practical skills,” and “professional identity formation.” (Hamilton, 2008, p. 104). |
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b. Argument: The Counseling profession cannot ethically fulfill its contract with the public if it admits individuals with professional identities that are different from its own.
In conclusion, I propose that Dr. Chase’s challenge to the distinction between the Counseling and Psychology professions is without merit, as that distinction has now been determined clearly by 50 state legislatures who have independently voted to adopt separate professional licenses for Counselors and Psychologists. Counseling has rightfully achieved its distinct place among the major helping professions, and as such, must exercise its contractual obligation to restrict the entry of those whose preparation does not qualify them to assume the primary professional identity of Professional Counselor. |
Reference
Hamilton, N. (2008). Assessing professionalism: Measuring progress in the formation of an ethical professional identity. University of St. Thomas Law Journal, 5(2), 101-143.